Helen VanGiessen

Helen Jean Van Giessen, age 92, passed away July 23, 2026 at her home in Portage, MI. Helen was born January 27, 1934 in Kalamazoo, MI, the daughter of Henry E. and Stella (Boekhout) DeVries. She was a member of the Netherlands Reformed Congregation.

On March 10, 1955, Helen was united in marriage to Garrett John Van Giessen. Surviving are their four children Sheryl Van Giessen, Gary Van Giessen, Randall (Trudy) Van Giessen, Mary (Andrew) Kieboom, and a son-in-law Leendert (Wilhelmina) Weeda; 13 grandchildren Justin (Karalyn) Weeda, Cherene (James) Grisnich, Brandon Weeda, Jolissa (Joseph) Groeneweg, Jeremy Weeda, Daniel Van Giessen, Kaelynn Kieboom, Timothy Van Giessen, Aleshia Kieboom, Samuel Van Giessen, Jonathan (Elisabeth) Van Giessen, Ryanne Kieboom, and Joelle Kieboom; 10 great grandchildren; three sister-in-laws Anne Van Giessen, Mary Van Beck, and Krystyna Sikkema; one brother-in-law James (Pamela) Sikkema; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her daughter Sandra Weeda, brothers Edward, Fred, and Henry DeVries; sisters Agnes Sportell, Grace Baas, and Marguerite Kuzee; and several brother-in-laws and sister-in-laws.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 pm on Tuesday, July 28 at the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Portage Chapel, 411 E. Centre Ave. The funeral service will be held at 10:30 am on Wednesday, July 29 at the Netherlands Reformed Congregation (108 Pratt Rd) with Rev. Herman Hofman officiating. Interment will follow in Mt. Ever-Rest Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Helen's memory may be directed to Providence Christian School.

The family would like to thank the health care workers Hayley, Lori, Haley, and Beth, who provided loving care for our mother in her last months.

Please visit Helen's memorial webpage to share condolences and memories with her family at https://www.Langelands.com